Gilbert was Fleming’s mother’s brother. Gilbert lived in Shetland, traveled the world and retired to Edinburgh.
The note at the top of the letter “From Dad’s Uncle Gilbert in Edinburgh – written 19-11-1903” are notes added by Grace Robertson, Fleming’s daughter – ny Nana. The little girl mentioned in the letter is Grace.
153 Mayfield Road,
Edinburgh
19th November 1903
My dear Fleming
I got your print letter of the 9th Aug last about three weeks ago, and am glad to find that it left all well – no wonder that you have been looking for a letter from me when I have been owe you one for such a long time. And with your brother Jim, I am in just the same position, and must write to him some time soon.
Yes, I heard of John Laurenson’s death a few months ago and enclose you a letter for his widow along with this. Please forward it to her by first opportunity, as I do not know her proper address. Her letter is dated from Kaikorai, but I do not know if that is near you or not. Besides, she did not then know where she would finally reside. Poor thing, it is a great trial for her to be left young and with two young children to provide for – John seems to have been a nice young fellow and she feels her loss very keenly.
Your photograph came to hand all right and I thought it had been acknowledged before. In a letter I had a short time before John’s death, he told me that your wife had a little daughter, which I am sure you will both be very proud of. I trust she may do as well as your mother and then there will not be much reason for regret. I am glad to that your brother Jim and his wife are quite well. I hope he succeeded in getting a patent for the team plough you speak about and trust it may become good for him. When next you write, please give me his present address. I will always be glad to hear at anytime how all our relations are getting on, especially about those in your district. Never having seen any of them, you cannot think how little one knows about the different families. While your mother lived I was better posted with news about all of them. My brother Fleming writes, but he is far away from your district. His family were all well when we last heard from them. He has always hoped that he would be able to visit the old Country but it seems almost too good news to look forward to. He still lives in hope however. Out of ten of us there are only now five left – my sisters Betsy and Joanna, and Charles, Fleming and myself. My sisters are not very strong, but at present they and our other friends are all middling well. Captn Perterson misses Catherine very much. He still resides in Sunderland and had a letter from him last week.
I trust dear Fleming this will find you all well and with kind love to the (-) (-) my sister writes.
Remains
Yours affectionate uncle
Gilbert Laurenson
Thank you for the interesting papers you sent. You will notice my change of address.